Interpretation of wording in a will

[Lovelife]

Probate has been granted on my late cousins will and she has left me, as in the will, 'I give my cousin------ absolutely All my rings and any of the Doulton figure she may choose out of my collection of Doulton figurines'. She has about 89 Doulton figures.
Q. Would my understanding be right that if I choose I could take one, 89 or any number in between?

[des8]

A nice gift from your cousin, but that wording is IMO open to interpretation

Did she mean " any one of the Doulton figures she may chose...."
or " any of the Doulton figures she may chose..."

As she goes on to say " out of my collection..." it would indicate you were not expected to chose the whole collection!
Are the figurines mentioned elsewhere in the will?
Have you discussed the matter with the exe4cutor(s)?
Do you want them all?

[Lovelife]

Thanks for that. The figures are not mentioned anywhere else in the will. Fallen out with the executor but I have power reserved as the second executor.

[des8]

You don't say what sort of value is on these figurines.
If they are at the lower end of the scale the other executor might be pleased if you take the lot as it will save her the cost and bother of trying to sell them.

[Lovelife]

These figurines are, I would say, £10-20 ish. Although when bought they would have been about £100. I feel the other executor is just being spiteful about this and as he will not communicate with me at all I’m having problems getting anywhere.

[des8]

You could try telling him that if he persists in being awkward you will reverse your power reserved status band become an active executor, with whom he will have to cooperate
On the other hand it might not be worth the hassle and risk

[paulajayne]

"and any of the Doulton figure she may choose out of my collection of Doulton figurines"

Indicate not all but suggest some that you may like - 5 or 6 seams reasonable.

[des8]

.....or just north of 80